12 more teachers detained over use of mobile app

As part of a Aksaray-based operation, detention warrants have been issued for 22 teachers who were earlier dismissed from their positions, due to their use of a smart phone application called ByLock, on Wednesday.

Turkish prosecutors claim that ByLock is the top communication tool among members of the faith-based Gülen movement, which the government accuses of masterminding a coup attempt on July 15. Critics, however, have blasted the government for detaining thousands simply for using a mobile application.

provinces and were able to locate 12 of the suspects by Wednesday noon.

Meanwhile, another 10 teachers were given 6 years and a three-month jail sentence each as part of a separate investigation into the movement, on Tuesday. While the teachers were accused of membership to a terrorist organization, they were released on parole with travel ban.